August 30th, 2024, 12:00 am - November 1st, 2024, 12:00 am CDT
This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) encourages the submission of supplemental funding requests to engage the public in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming and activities that showcase existing exhibits, films, maker experiences and other public science communication efforts funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This DCL is led by the NSF Directorate for STEM Education (EDU), in partnership with the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA), and is open to current Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) and Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) award recipients in EDU’s Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL).
May 10th, 2025 is the U.S. National Science Foundation’s 75th Anniversary and NSF seeks to amplify the visibility and impact of its investments for the public. This DCL highlights NSF’s interest in supporting a nationwide “NSF STEM Day”, a recognition of public STEM engagement and learning in commemoration of NSF’s 75th anniversary. This DCL builds on NSF’s long-standing investments in public engagement with STEM through a wide range of informal STEM learning experiences and environments that make lifelong learning a reality. The goal of NSF STEM Day is to inspire public engagement with STEM by highlighting NSF’s support for informal STEM learning across the country on its 75th Anniversary.
To support this endeavor, NSF seeks submission of supplemental funding requests from current AISL and ITEST award recipients that will, on May 10, 2025, 1) highlight and augment existing informal STEM experiences to emphasize the role of NSF funding in their development; and 2) gather the public in person to engage in the wonders of STEM and STEM learning. NSF strongly encourages supplemental funding requests that will showcase innovative informal STEM learning experiences; emphasize the impact of NSF funding on informal STEM learning; and feature plans for engaging diverse public audiences, including evidence of a well-rounded understanding of the focal learners and their communities.
Award recipients are encouraged to collaborate with local informal STEM institutions, local community groups, expired AISL-funded informal STEM recipients, and EPSCoR-based or small informal STEM learning (ISL) organizations to broaden the impact. AISL seeks to make many supplements to support organizations across the nation to participate in the event.
Supplemental funding requests up to $99,000 can be used to support a variety of in-person activities with the public on May 10, 2025, related to the topics above. Activities may include:
- Highlighting existing informal STEM learning experiences previously funded by the NSF, such as, but not limited to: exhibitions at science and technology centers, zoos, aquaria, libraries, public spaces, or nature centers; showing giant screen films, documentary films, and television series; planetarium programs; science cafés; and makerspaces.
- Supporting free or reduced-cost participation and engagement (e.g., entrance fees, transportation).
- Advertising and staffing the event; printing related materials.